Tabulating machine having alpha universal split unit construction



Sept. 6, 1932. F, M- ARROLL, 1,875,850

TABULATING MACHINE HAVING A UNIVER SAL SPLIT UNIT CONSTRUCTION Filed June 12, 2 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I! D 1 E Q .F 5 G #(LATTORNEYS.

' Sept. 6, 1932. F. M CARROLL H 1,875;850

TABULATING MACHINE H AVING A UNIVERSAL SPLIT UNIT CONSTRUCTION Filed June 12, 1925 4 Sheejts-Sheet 2 auveut oz p 6, 1932- F. M. CARROLL 1,875,850

TABULATING MACHINE HAVING A UNIVERSAL SPLIT UNIT CONSTRUCTION Filed June 12, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 *flW ' Sept. 6, 1932. ARROLL 7 1,875,850

TABULATING MACHINE HAVING A UNIVERSAL SPLIT UNIT CONSTRUCTION Filed June 12, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 MUM Wop 14 4 fmil dw fl Patented Sept. 1932 UNITED-STATES PATENT OFFICE FRED M. CARROLL, OF ENDICOTT, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE TABULA'IING MACHINE COMPANY, OF ENDICOTT, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY TAIBULATING MACHINE HAVING A UNIVERSAL SPLIT UNIT CONSTRUCTION Application filed June 12, 1925. Serial No. 36,574.

I This invention relates to tabulating machines, and more specifically to the accumulating devices of such machines.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a universal split accumulator system for tabulating machines.

Heretofore in devices of this character, several banks of accumulators have been employed. Thus in a device having a capacity of forty-five columns the corresponding fortyfive accumulator-wheels or units have usually been divided into five banks of nine wheels each. In other words, the forty-five units are split at four points, and these points are fixed. Obviously, the units may be divided into a greater number of smaller banks, but the points at which the units are split will still be fixed and inflexible. Moreover, if the units were to be divided into nine banks of five units each they could not be used for figures having more than fivedigits. For instance, if dollars and cents were to be accumulated, two units would be required for the cents, leaving but three for the dollars so that the accumulation could not extend beyond the hundreds. Of course, some large and some small banks might be used but the flexibility of the system would still belimited.

According to my invention, each of the accumulator wheels or units is disconnected from the others and may operate independently. On the other hand, any two or more of the units may be connected together to operate as an accumulator bank. In this way, all of the units may be variously connected to constitute as many banks of varying capacity as desired.

In a tabulator of the type disclosed in the patent to Lake N0. 1,37 9,268 for printing tabulators, adapted to be controlled by the wellknown Hollerith perforated card, the columns of index points on the card are divided into fields. Each field comprises one or more columns. The perforation sensing brushes that act upon the columns are thus theoretically divided into groups, each group representing one of the card fields. These brushes may then be connected to a group of type members which will print upon a sheet the data taken from the specific field of the perforated card. If the data represent statistics that are to be accumulated from several cards before being printed the brushes are connected to an accumulator bank which in turn is connected to the type members for controlling the printing. If the field on the perforated card comprises threeindex columns, three type bars may be employed, or when accumulating, a fourth type bar may be employed to provide for carrying. But an entire bank of nine accumulator units must be used, five of the units of which are thus idle and cannot be used in connection with another field of index columns. If the card were to be divided into a large number of small fields the data of which is to be accumulated, the tabulating machine would have to possess an equally large number of banks of accumulators. This would increase the size and cost of the machine.

According to my invention, where a field on the perforated card requires but four accumulator units, only four need be connected with that field, and all of the other units forty-five units adapted to be universally split has a wider range of usefulness than five banks of nine units -each.".-Also forty-five units in one bank will occupy less space than when divided into five banks.

Referring to the drawings wherein I have shown what I now consider to ferred form of my invention Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one of the accumulator units.

be the pre- Fig. 2 is a plan view of several of the units put together, two of the units being sectioned in different planes.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of the principal operating parts.

Figs. 4; and 4a are separate halves ofa wiring diagram illustrating the operation of the machine.

ln Figs. 1 and 3 the units are shown as comprising the usual counter wheel in the form of a ratchet wheel 3 loosely carried on a shaft 2 and having ten teeth. An actuating pawl 4 carried by the armature 5 of an electromagnet 6 is adapted to turn the ratchet. The armature is pivoted to a bracket 7 and is normally held by a spring 8 in the position shown in Fig. 1, but is actuated when the magnet is energized to the position shown in ig. 3, turmng the ratchet one notch. A stop pawl 9 may be provided to prevent retrograde movement of the ratchet. A spring 10 may serve to hold the two pawls resihently against the ratchet. Fixed on the side of the ratchet 3 is'a long tooth or cam 11 adapted once each revolution to engage a projection 12 on a lever 13 to actuate said lever to effect the usual carrying operation in a manner to be hereinafter described.

The invention may be used in connection with the well-known Hollerith card shown in United States Letters Patent No. 1,087,061. In the Hollerith system the cards are fed between a bank of electric brushes and contact plates, each column of index points on the card corresponding with one of the brushes. Each time that one of the index points registers with one of the brushes current is supplied by means of a s cronizin device to the brush and plate. I the card as been perforated at the index point the brush reaches through and engages the plate, thus closing a circuit through an electromagnet and cansing an amount to be turned into the appropriate accumulator wheel.

In Fig. 4 the cards 14 are shown as adapted to be fed from a stack 15 through feed rollers 16 and between brushes 17 and contact plates 18. The rollers 16 are actuated by a motor 19, the shaft 20 of which carries a pulley 21 connected by a belt 22 to a second 5 pulley 23 on a shaft 24, adapted to be connected through a clutch 24a to shaft 24?), the latter shaft having a gear 25 meshing with a gear 26 connected through a chain of gears 27 to the several feed rollers. The cards may be fed from the stack by the usual picker in the well known manner, but as the feeding forms no art of the present invention it is not deemed necessary to show the card feeding apparatus in greater detail.

On the shaft 29 with gear 26 is a gear 30 meshing with a gear 31 to actuate a cam shaft 32. This shaft carries several cams 33, 34, 35, 36 adapted to actuate contacts 33a, 34a, 35a, 36a. Shaft 24 is also connected by gears 37, 38, 39 to a shaft 40 which carries cams 41, 42 adapted to actuate contacts 41a, 42a.

While the motor is running, the shafts 24 and 40 rotate continuously, but the cam shaft 32 and the card feeding mechanism operate only while the clutch magnet 43 is energized. This magnet serves to throw the clutch member 24a to the right to clutch shaft 24 to shaft 246. Member 24a is spring-pressed to inoperative position and assumes such position whenever the magnet is deenergized. When member 2411 moves to inoperative position it engages a fixed stop 44 after completin the revolution which it is then making and the parts stop in a predetermined position.

Shaft 40, (Fig. 4a) is adapted to be clutched to a shaft 45 by means of a clutch 46. This clutch comprises a ratchet 47 fixed on the shaft 40 and adapted to be engaged by a pawl 48 carried by a disc 49 fixed on the shaft 45. The pawl 48 is normally held by the armature 50 of a clutch magnet 51 out of engagement with the ratchet but is springpressed into engagement therewith when the magnet becomes energized to cause rotation of shaft 45. This shaft carries cams 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 adapted to operate contacts 52a to 57a inclusive.

Presuming the main switch 58 to be closed to supply current to lines 59, 60, tlleJTlOtOl' 19 may be started by closing the motor switch 61; current flowing through wire 63, motor 19 and back through wire 62 to the other side of the line. This causes actuation of shafts 20, 24 and 40.

The feeding of the cards takes place only while magnet- 43 is energized to render clutch 24a active. This may be effected by depressing start key 100 to close contacts 101. The circuit is from line 59, through wire 63, contacts 163, magnet 43, contacts 101, holding magnet 164 and wire 145 back to the other side of the line. Energization of magnet 164 closes contacts 165, so that the operator may immediately release the start key. The current then flows from the clutch magnet 43, through the stop key contacts S, contacts 201 which are normally closed, contacts 165, magnet 164, wire 145 back to the line. As soon as cards begin to feed, they engage card lever 102 and close contacts 166. Resistance 202, in series with contacts 201, then causes the current to flow around contacts 201, through contacts 166 and a magnet 203, and the energization of this magnet causes contacts 201 to open. Thereafter, should the feeding of cards fail, magnets 164 and 203 will become deenergized, and contacts 165 will open, while contacts 201 will close. The closing of contacts 201 is ineffective, because, before they close, the contacts 165 will have broken. The failure of current causes deenergization of clutch magnet 43, and the operation of the card feed mechanism.

The operator may stop the feeding of cards at any time by depression of the stop key S.

This will break the circuit through magnet 164, and contacts 165 will-open.

A switch 162 adapted to be closed by energization of magnet 141 may be connected on one side to wire 63, and on the other by plug wire 167 to magnet 43. Once each card cycle the cam 168- opens contacts 163, but under normal conditions magnet 141 will close contacts 162 duringthe interval that contacts 163 are open, so that current will continue to flow through magnet 43. This will be more fully described presently.

The cam wheel 42 has nine points which correspond with the nine digital index point spaces in each column on the card. The passage of the card through the machine is so synchronized with the turning of this cam,

. that with the passage of each index point passes the brushes first.

on the card between brush 17 and contact 18, the contacts 42a will be closed to supply current to the brushes and to take the are therefrom in'the usual manner, by breaking before the brush is lifted out of a hole. The open space on the cam represents the interval be 42 will close contacts 42a. A circuit willnow be setup as follows: From line 59, through wire 63, (Figs. 4 and 4a) contacts 42a, wires 7 0, 71, the common brush'holder 72, the individual brush 17, through the perforation in the card to the individal contact block 18, wire 73, the individual contact 360 which is closed during the passage, of the adding portion of each card, thence through wire 7 4 to plug board 75, thencethrough plug 76 which will have been connected, wire 77, binding post B, magnet 6, binding post A, and back to the other side of the line. Magnet 6 is thus energized, and, attracting its armature. 5, clicks the counter wheel 3 around one notch. The circuit through magnet 6 is now broken as the first tooth on cam 42 releases contacts 42a and as the n ne, hole in the card leaves the brush 17. As there are no other holes in this particular column on the card, the circuit cannot again be closed through this channel. However, the operation of armature 5 will have pressed the armature 78 into closed position with respect to magnet 79. This magnet is energized during each card cycle through the following circuit: From line 59, through wire 63, contacts 41a which are normally closed, wire 80, binding post E, magnet 81,

thence to magnet 79. binding post D and back to the other side of the line. The strength of magnet 79 is not suflicient to actuate armature 78, but having'been actuatedby armature 5, the armature 78 will now be held bymagnet 79 until the cam 41 opens contacts 410, whichtakes place at the end of the card cycle. Armature 78 closes contacts 82, so that as each succeeding tooth on cam 42 closes contacts 42a,

7 a circuit will be re-established through magnet'6 as follows: From line 59, through wire 63, contacts 42a, wires 70, 83,, contacts 35a which are closed throughout the card cycle,

wire 84, binding post G, contacts 82, magnet 6, binding post A and back to the other side of the line. Thus, as there are eight more teeth on cam 42, magnet 6 will 'be energized eight more times during the card cycle to turn eight more, making nine in all, into the accumulator wheel 3.

It will be noted, from the adding circuits traced above, that the circuit for initially energizin counter magnet 6 extends through the ana yzing brush 17 in series with cam contacts 42a, while the circuit for subsequently energizing the counter magnet extends through the cam contacts 42a in series with contacts 82. Contacts 82 are normally open k and are closed by magnet 6 on its first energization in an adding cycle. Therefore, the

.closures of cam contacts 42a are effective to cause energiz'ations ofmagnet 6 only upon and after the passage of an index point perforation beneath the analyzing brush 17. If a record card containing a perforation in the six position eta-given card coluinn, for example, passes through the machine the closures of contacts 4221,, prior to the time when the six perforation reaches an analyzing brush 17, will have no effect as the circuit through 'these contacts on the counter magnet is held open at the contacts'82. When the perforation in the six position reaches an analyzing brush 17, the circuit previously traced (in connection with a nine perforation) through. the analyzingbrush and the counter magnet 6, is closed to initially energize the counter magnet and the closure of contacts 82 by the counter magnet permits subsequent closures of contacts 42a to repeatedly energize counter magnet 6 until it has been successively-energized six times in all.

Carrying Carrying from one adding unit to that of the next higher order is as followsi After adding Wheel 3 has been turned nine steps and while it isbeing turned the tenth step to its zero position, the long tooth 11 will depress lever 13 and close contacts 85 as in Fig.

- 3. Magnet 81 which is in series with magnet to attract lever 13, but whenthe latter is depressed by tooth 11, the magnet will hold it and thus hold contacts 85 closed until after the last point on the card has passed the read- 4122 are opened to de-energizev magnet 81, contacts 34a are closed. This establishes the following circuit: From line 59, through. wires 63, 94, contacts 34a which close at t e ing brushes. At this time, and before contacts proper time at the end of the card cycle,

thence through wire 88 to binding post 'F, contacts 85, binding post G, wire 89, contacts 53a, which are normally closed, wire 90 to binding post H of the second unit which is identical with the first. By referring again to the first unit it will be seen that the current will then pass through wire 92 to binding post B, magnet 6, binding post A, thence from the said second unit back to the other s de of the line. The magnet 6 of the next higher unit will thus be energized and will addone to its adding wheel 3. Closure of contacts 34a takes place after the last index point on the card has passed the brush, so that the carrying operation will not interfere with the operation of the wheels directly from the card. The opening of contacts 41a and 34a will now cause de-energization of the adding unit magnets, and the parts will be ready for another card cycle.

In any case in whichan adding unit stands at 9 and receives an additional unit by transfer from the next lower adding. unit, it must itself transfer to the next higher adding unit.

This transfer upon a transfer is a successive operation from adding unit to adding unit, and, as far as each adding unit is concerned, is essentially the same as the transfer operation just described. Briefly, when any counter magnet such as 6 stands at nine at the beginning of a transfer operation, which as previously explained occurs towards the end of the cycle after the last index point on the card has passed the analyzing brushes, and receives a unit by transfer from a lower order it will move to zero position. In doing so it will depress its lever 13, closing contacts 85, and thereby immediately close a transfer circuit, entirely similar to the one traced above, to the next higher order adding unit. If this next hgher adding unit stands at nine it will, in turn, establish a transfer circuit to the next adding unit and so on.

Printing Printing of the data taken from the card may be effected by the use of the apparatus disclosed in the British Patent 255,006 (1925) corresponding to my copending applicaton Serial No. 607,847 filed December 19, 1922, for tahulating machines. In the British patent cited, it will be observed that the energization of a printing magnet by the brush reaching through a hole in the card, actuated a type corresponding to the position of the hole in the card to print the character.

In the present case the printing magnets are shown at 95. Three such magnets are shown representing three sets or columns of type. The column on the card may be connected to any of the type columns by connecting the plug 96 to the appropriate line in the plug board 75. Now when a hole in the card passes the brush 17 a circuit will be closed through the printing magnet as follows: From line 59, through wire 63, contacts 42a, wires 70, 71, brush 17, block 18, wire 73, contacts 36a, wire 74, plug 96, wire 97, contacts 36?), wire 98, magnet 95 and back to the other side of the line.

Total printing and resetting If it is desired to print the total standing on the wheels as for instance, at the end of a group of cards, when the card lever 102 has permitted the card feed circuit to open, this ma be done by inserting a plug 110 into a soc et 111, and at the proper time, depressing the total key 112 momentarily. This will cause momentary energization of magnet 51 through contacts 113 and wires 115, 114, causing shaft 45 to become clutched to shaft 40 to turn one revolution. The shafts 40 and 45 are clutched together by means of a one revolution clutch which is a device, well known and widely used in the art. This device includes a ratchet wheel 47 fixed to constantly rotating shaft 40 and a disc 49 fixed to shaft 45, which on the occasion of total taking is required to be rotated a single revolution. The ratchet wheel 47 and disc 49 are arranged close together so that a clutch pawl 48, pivoted on dies 49 may cooperate with the ratchet wheel 47 A spring 486 is attached at one end to clutch pawl 48 and at the other end to dies 49 and tends to rock pawl 48 about its pivot so that its hooked end will engage one of the teeth of ratchet 47 When this engagement occurs shaft 45 is driven by shaft 40. Clutch awl 48 is normally held free of ratchet 47 y the armature 50 of magnet 51 which is spring operated to engage a projection 48a on clutch pawl 48 to hold the latter against the action of spring 485. On momentary energization of magnet 51, in response to momentary depression of total keys 112, the armature 50 of this magnet is attracted and releases clutch pawl 48, which is pulled by spring 485 into engagement with ratchet 47. Disc 49 and shaft 45, to which it is fixed, thereupon rotate with shaft 40. As the energization of magnet 51 is only momentary, armature 50, being released, moves back into the path of the extension on the clutch pawl 48. After a single revolution, the extension 48a on pawl 48 engages the hook end of armature 50 and, due to the motion of disc 49, is rocked about its pivot and free of ratchet 47. Shaft 45 thus rotates a single revolution only. The cam 56 is timed to first close contacts 56a, completing a circuit from line 59, throu h wires 63, 86, contacts 56a, wire 86a, binding post J, magnet 116, binding post K and back to the other side of the line. The magnet 116 will thus become energized and remain so throughout the total taking cycle. This magnet will turn the frame 117 on its axis 118, shifting lever 13 with its projection 12 slightly to the right so that when the counter wheel 3 reaches zero position, the long tooth 11 will register with projection 12. A lever 119 will also be actuated so as to thrust its end 120 intothe path of the long tooth 11 to stop the counter Wheel at zero position. Further movement of cam shaft 45 closes contacts 54a, and 57a and opens contacts 53a. Contacts 535 discontinue the normal connection from one unit to the next. Contacts 55a enable closure of contacts 42a to complete the circuit through magnet 6 as follows: From line 59, through wire 63, contacts 42a, wire 70, contacts 55a, wires 121, 122, switch arm 123; this arm will have been connected to plug board 124 by depression of push button 125, rocking bar 126 to close contacts 123, 127 the plug 128 being inserted, the current will then pass through wire 130 to binding post I, contacts 131, binding post B, magnet 6, binding A and back to the other side of the line. closing of contact, 42a will now energlze magnet'6. and actuate the counter wheel. VVhat'cverthe position of this wheel at the start, it will be turned far enough to bring its long tooth against stop 120, where it will be held in zero position.

At the end of the cycle, shaft 35 will stop,

leaving its contacts in normal positions. The.

magnet 116 will be de-energized and the parts controlled thereby will have assumed their normal positions, leaving the counter wheel in readiness for the next accumulating operation. Also, just before shaft 45 stops, it will momentarily close contacts 52a, completing a circuit from line 59 through wires 63, 94, contacts 52a, wires 132, 133, magnet 1.34 and back to the other side of the line. The energization of magnet 134 will actuate latch 135 to release bar 126, permitting the latter to be returned by its spring 136 to normal position, opening contacts 123, 127.

The timing is such that, closure of contacts 550; takes place at least as soon as closure of contacts 420/. by the first tooth on cam 42. At the time of closure by said tooth, the nine type lever of the printing drum will be approaching printing position. Thus synchronously with each step of the counter wheel 3, a type will be passing printing position, and when the counter wheel reaches Zero position the long tooth registering with lever 13 to close contacts 85,-will complete a circuit through the printing magnet 95 as follows: From line 59, through wires 63, 86, contacts 57a, wires 87, 88, binding post F,

, contacts 85, binding post G, wire 89, contacts ost ach 95 is energized and such digit would be A printed.

Automatic totaling Instead of having to depress push button 125 to take a total and to re-set, this may be done automatically by first closing common switch 137 and individual switch 138. In this instance, the continued feeding of cards is dependent upon the group designation of two cards passing simultaneously the upper brush 17a and the lower brush 17 as disclosed in the application of Herman Hollerith, Serial No. 824,015 for automatic control for tabulating machines, filed March 11, 1914, now issued as Patent-No. 1,830,699, Novemher 3, 1931. Closure of contacts 33a, which takes place near the end of the card cycle, will complete a circuit through wires 63, 94, contacts. 33a, switch 137, contacts 139, magnet 140, back to the other side of the line, unless a magnet 141 becomes energized to .open contacts 139. If the group designation holes in the two cards are similarly located,-

they will both be presented to the brushes at the same time, and a circuit will be established through wire 63, contacts 42a, wires 70, 7'1, brush 17, contacts 36a,

magnet 143, then, breaks its own circuit by opening contacts 144, and closes a circuit through contacts 149 as follows: Wires 63, 153, 154, plug 155 which will have been inserted, contacts 149, plug 152, magnet 141, wire 156 and back to the other side of the line Magnet 141 will remain energized during the remainder of the card cycle and will hold contacts 139 open to prevent energization of magnet 140 when contacts 33a close at the end of the card cycle. Should there be disagreement between the group designation holes in the card, however, magnet 143 will not be energized; nor will magnet 141, and current will pass through magnet 140 at the end of the cycle. This will turn bar 126 to close contacts 123, 127 the bar being locked by latch 135. The machine will then be set for a total-taking and re-setting cycle.

I have shown three magnets 143. These may be connected by their respective plugs 142 to the upper and lower brushes for any three columns on the'card. These magnets control three sets of contacts 149 connected in series so that the plug 152 may be connected to one,

wire 74, to plug board 75, plug 142 which will have been intwo or three sets of contacts, depending upon how many digits there are in the group designation number. If three columns are being used, it will be seen that a change in the digit of any one of the columns will cause the corresponding magnet 143 to fail to be energized. The corresponding contacts 149 will fail to close and magnet 141 will not be'energized. This will permit magnet 140 to become energized to take a total.

It is also necessary at this time to energize the magnet 51 to cause the total shaft 45 to rotate its one revolution. This is effected in the following manner When magnet 141 fails to open contacts 139, and the contacts 33a close at the usual time, a circuit will be established from the positive side of the line,

through wires 63, 94, contacts 33a, switches 137, 138, contacts 139, wire 115a, magnet 51, wire 114, back to the negative side of the line. The armature 50 will then be attracted to permit clutch 48 to operate as set forth. It will, of course be understood that the windings of magnets 51, and 140 will offer suflicient resistance to prevent either of them from acting as a clear shunt around the other; and both magnets will be sufiiciently energized to op erate. The closure of contacts 33a is momentary and occurs during the time that contacts 139 are normally open, so that if the cards are in agreement no circuit will be established through the total clutch magnet. But, when by reason of a disagreement in the control readings of the cards, the contacts 139 fail to open, then the closure of contacts 33a Wlll. cause energization of the total clutch.

At the proper time in the cycle of the machine, contacts 144 and 149 may be restored to their normal positions by means of a cam 160 on shaft 45. This cam at the end of the total cycle, depresses a rod 161. which returns levers 147 to locked position with respect to the armatures of magnets 143, thus opening contacts 149 and permitting contacts 144 to close.

When a total-taking operation is automatically instituted, the feeding of cards must be suspended. This is brought about through the switch 162 which is normally closed by magnet 141 during the time that.

contacts 163 are open, to shunt the current around to magnet 43 but which when magnet 141 is not energized, remains open, so that when contacts 163 open, the circuit through the card feed clutch magnet 43 will be broken.

Automatic resumption of accumulating After having automatically taken a total between successive groups of cards, it is desirable that the machine may then automatically resume accumulating operations upon the next group of cards. This is effected as follows: At the end of the total cycle, when contacts 52a close to energize the unlatching magnet 134, they also set up the following circuit: From the positive side of the line, through wire 63, wire 94, contacts 52a, wires'132, 204, magnet 164, wire 145 and back to the line. Contacts 165 will thus become closed and remain so, and the clutch magnet 43 will operate to cause feeding of cards.

1 Universal split um't construction The tabulating units, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and represented diagrammatically in the lower part of Fig. 4 are self contained, replaceable units which may be placed in the tabulator frame or plate and when so placed automatically make the proper electrical connections with the binding posts A, B, C, D, etc., by means of individual spring contacts carried by binding posts mounted on the units and shown at the right of the units in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. The-binding posts A, C, D, E, F, J and K are permanently connected in a certain definite way with the circuits of the machine. In other words, no matter how the tabulator units are correlated to form desired tabulator banks, these binding posts and their related circuit connections remain invariable. These particular circuits are the same for each tabulator unit, that is, each A binding post, each B binding post, etc., for all the units are connected together and a common element of the machine makes and breaks the circuits to which the similar binding posts are connected simultaneously.

The binding posts B, G, H and I are not permanently connected to definite circuits, but are connected to plugs each of which may be placed in any one of a number of cooperating jacks. These plugs with their co-acting jacks make it possible to form accumulator banks consisting of any desired units regardless of whether the selected units are adjacent and when properly connected, such banks will perform all operations which the older types of arbitrarily divided banks could perform.

The binding posts B, through wires 77, are connected to plugs 76 which may be plugged in to any desired row of jacks on the panel board 75. Each row of jacks is connected to a different block 18 of the brush analyzer and hence, by proper plugging, the counter magnet 6 of any unit may receive its initial counting impulse from any brush of upper unit of the bank. This is taken care of by the H contact, which is referred to as a binding post but which is in reality a jack or socket in which the plug attached to the wire 90 may be connected. Now if in a par ticular case it were desired to use the first unit shown in Fig. 4 as the units counter and the third unit as the tens counter, the plug on the wire 90, associated with the first unit, would be plugged into the contact H of the third unit whereupon transferring would be automatically performed as necessary from the first unit to the third one as explained above under carrying. It is, then, practical to carry or transfer fromany unit to any other unit in the bank.

The desired printing magnets 95 for any particular set up of accumulator units may be selected by means of the plugs 110 and jacks 111. Each plug 110 is connected through its corresponding contacts 54a and wire 89 to binding post G. Hence, by properly plugging between the plugs 110 and jacks 111, the desired printing magnet for each unit of the accumulator bank units may be selected, the selected magnet being energized as explained above under printing.

The binding post I which is connected through wire 130 to plug 128 is used to plug into the jacks on board 124 to make proper connections to the total printing and reset mechanism, the operation of which has been fully explained above.

It will be clear then that by proper plugging a tabulator bank may be set up consisting of any desired units regardless of their physical position or order and that such a bank will perform all the functions of the older types of banks in which the tabulator units were arbitrarily and permanently split into banks and in which only adjacent units could be used for sequential orders of digits. The present arrangement gives a universally divisible bank permitting great flexibility of operation.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s:

1. In an accounting device adapted to be controlled by perforated cards, an accumulator wheel, means for actuating said wheel,

an electro-magnet for controlling said actuatlng means, means adapted to cooperate with a hole in a card for energizing said magnet, and means controlled by said magnet for thereafter causing reenergization there- 2. In an accounting device, an accumulator unit, an electro-magnet for actuating said unit, and means controlled by the energization of said magnet for causing repeat reenergizations thereof.

3. In an accounting machine, means for feeding records through the machine, an accumulator unit, an electro-magnet. adapted to be energized under control of a record subsequent repeat energizations thereof for caiising further actuation of said unit.

4. In an accounting machine, means for feeding records having differentially posi-L tioned index points, an accumulator unit, means controlled by a' hole in a record '1or causing actuation of said unit, and means controlled by the position of the hole in the record for controlling subsequent repeat actuations of said unit by said actuating means. 5. In a machine of the class described, accounting control mechanism, a plurality of self-contained accounting units each comprising a counter element and individual operating mechanism therefor and removable connecting means for independently connecting said units at will to said control mechanism.

6. In a machine of the class described, accounting control mechanism, a plurality of self-contained accounting units, each comprising individual accumulating mechanism and transfer control mechanism, means for independently connecting the accumulating mechanism of said units to said accounting control mechanism and means for selectively connecting the transfer control mechanism of each of said units to the accumulating mechanism of any other of said accounting units.

7 In a machine of the class described,accounting control mechanism, a plurality of independent, self-contained replaceable accounting units individual to denominational orders and each having a counter element and individual mechanism for actuating the same, a support for said units and coacting connections on said support and units for automatically connecting said units to said controlling mechanism when inserted on said support.

8. In a machine of the class described, accounting control mechanism, an assembly of a. plurality of self-contained, replaceable accounting units individual to denominational orders, each comprising a counter element and individual actuating mechanism therefor and transfer control mechanism,a support for said units and means for automati cally connecting said units to the control mechanism when inserted on said support, said connecting mechanism including a connecting member having individual operative nections to said accounting control mechanism in each unit position and coacting connecting means on each unit for automatically connecting the unit to the control mechanism when inserted on said supporting member.

10. In a machine of the class described, accounting control mechanism comprising control circuits and circuit actuators, a plurality of self contained, replaceable, electrically operated accounting units and independent electrical connecting means for connecting said units to said control circuits.

11. In a machine of the class described, accounting control mechanism comprising control circuits and circuit actuators, a plurality of self-contained, replaceable electrically operated accounting units, a panel board having contacts thereon connected to said control circuits and individual to each accounting unit, coacting contacts on each unit and a support for the accounting units in juxtaposition to said panel board to cause the contacts on the panel board to automatically engage those on the units when the latter are inserted in place.

12. In a machine of the class described, accounting control mechanism comprising control circuits and circuit actuators, a plurality of self-contained replaceable, electrically operated accounting units located in proximity to each other, a panel board having contacts thereon connected to said c0ntrol circuits and individual to said units, said contacts being located in positions corresponding to the positions of said units, and contacts on said units connected to the operating mechanisms thereof and coacting with said panel board contacts whereby when said units are inserted in place they are automatically connected to said panel board.

13. In a record controlled accounting machine, a plurality of accumulator devices individual to denominational orders, a plurality of analyzing devices for analyzing different record columns, a plurality of printing call devices each for controlling printing in a column of a record sheet, means for selectively connecting any printing call device to any analyzing device for listing and means for selectively associating any printing call device with any accumulator device for control of total printing.

14. In an accounting machine, a plurality of normally independent accumulator elements individual to denominational orders, means for selectively associating any of said elements with any others of said elements to form an accumulating bank, a. plurality of printing call devices each for controlling printing in a column of a record sheet, and means for selectively associating any printing call device with any accumulating device to effect printing in connection therewith.

15. In a record controlled accounting machine having record controlled means for entering items into accumulators, a plurality of accumulating elements individual to denominational orders, resetting means and means for selectively associating the individual denominational order elements to said resetting means, and means controlled in accordance with controlling records for selectively resetting the accumulating elements of any denominational order or orders thus associated with the resetting means.

16. In a. record controlled accounting machine having means for entering items into accumulators, a plurality of accumulating elements individual to denominational. orders, individual reset means for each element, operating means for said reset means and means for selectively and individually connecting each reset means to the operating means to effect reset on any desired denominational order elements.

17 In an accounting machine, a plurality of normally independent denominational order accumulating elements, means for associating any selected elements together to form accumulating blanks, control mechanism for entering items into said elements and means for associating any formed bank to said control mechanism for sub-totaling itemsaand means for associating any other formed bank to said control mechanism to grand total the same items.

18. In a record controlled accounting machine, a plurality of normally independent denominational order accumulating elements, means for associating any selected elements together to form accumulating banks, record analyzing means, means for associating any formed accumulating bank therewith for entering items for sub-totaling from selected record fields and means for associating any other formed accumulating bank with said record analyzing means for entering items from the same record fields for grand totaling.

19. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of record controlled accumulator units, means for universally sub-dividing said units into desired banks and means for correlating the units ofa plurality of banks together to add the same items from a controlling record to the units of said plurality of banks.

20. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of record controlled accumulator units, means including said units for adding items from successive groups of records, means for universally sub-dividing said units into desired banks, means for correlating the units of a plurality of said banks together to add the same items from controlling records to the units of said plurality of banks and means to take totals of individual record groups from some of said banks of accumulators while allowing the totals of successive groups to accumulate in others of said banks.

21. The invention set forth in claim in which means is provided to clear the total taking accumulating banks when totals are taken.

22. An accounting machine comprising a printing device, an accumulating device, common means for independently controling the operation of said devices for listing and means controlled by said accumu ating device for initiating the operation of the printing device for totaling.

23. An accounting machine comprising a printing device, an accumulating device, means for independently controlling the operation of said devices for listing, means controlled by said accumulating device for initiatingfthe operation of the printing device for totaling and means for selectively connecting said several control means for listing alone or for accumulating and total printing or for listing and accumulating and total printing.

24. An accounting machine comprising a plurality of printing devices, a plurality of accumulating devices, means for selectively connecting any accumulating device and any printing device independently to a common control device for conjoint operation in listing, means associated with each accumulator device for controlling a printing device during totaling and means for selectively connecting any of said last named means to any printing device for totaling.

25. An accounting machine comprising a printing device including operating means and electrically operated control means, an accumulating device comprising operating means and electrically operated control means, common initiating means for activating said control means during listing and means controlled by said accumulating device for activating said printing control means during totaling. v

26. An accounting machine including a plurality of printing device-seach comprising operating means and electrically operated control means, a plurality of accumulating devices each comprising operating means and electrically operated control means, a plurali ty of initiating elements and means for selectively connecting any printing control means and any accumulator control means to any of said initiating means for conjoint operation during listing, means associated with each accumulator device for initiating operation of-a printing control means during totaling and means for selectively connecting any of said 80 last named means to any of said printing control means.

27. An accounting machine including a plurality of printing devices each comprising operating means and electrically operated control means, a plurality of accumulating ity of initiating means for said control means each including a circuit actuator, a panel board having a plurality of sockets thereon connected respectively to said initiating means and said control means, an additional initiating means for said printer control means, comprising a circuit actuator associated with each accumulator device, sockets on said panel board connected to each of said last named means and flexible electrical connections for plugging between any of said sockets.

28. An accounting machine including a plurality of printing devices, a plurality of accumulating devices each comprising a transfer control mechanism and a total printing control mechanism, selective connecting means for operatively connecting the transfer control mechanism of any accumulator device to any other accumulator device for carrying and selective connecting means for connecting any total printing control mechanism to any printing device, a plurality of initiating elements, means for selectively connecting any of said initiating elements to any of said accumulator control devices and means for selectively connecting any of said initiating elementsto any of said printing control devices for listing.

29. An accounting machine comprising a plurality of accumulator units forming an accumulating bank with means for splitting the bank at any point to isolate desired units into independent sub-banks, resetting means for said units and means for selectively associating any of said formed sub-banks'therewith to effect resetting of the units of any subbanks so selected without resetting of the units in the other sub-banks.

30. An accounting machine comprising a plurality of normally disconnected accumulator units with means for selectively interconnecting any of them to form one or a plurality of independent accumulating banks, resetting means and means for selectively associating any of such formed banks therewith to efl'ect resetting of the units therein without resetting of the units of the remaining banks.

31. -An accounting machine having accumulator units individual to denominational orders including item entering means, characterized by the fact that resetting control elements individual to each denominational order are provided which may be selectively, cooperatively associated with any accumulator units which are to be reset.

32. An accounting machine comprising an accumulator with multi-denominational adding elements and transfer devices therebetween, and including electromagnetic means individual to each of the adding elements for controlling advancing movements of the elecontrolling advancing movements of the elements and including in combination with individual lines leading to the elements, means for distinctively, individually and differentially energizing said lines for initiating adding operations, means for effecting collective concurrent energization of the lines and the electromagnetic means for initiating reset, recording means and means controlled by the adding elements on reaching home position on a reset operation to control the recording means to record the data standing on the elements prior to reset and means for rendering said transfer devices ineiiective during resetting operations.

34. An accounting machine comprising an accumulator with multi-denominational adding elements and transfer devices therebe-- tween, electromagnetic means individual to each of the adding elements for controlling advancin movements of the same, individual lines leading to the elements, means for energizing said lines individually and diflerentially for initiating data entering operations on said elements, recording means, means for concurrently energizing said lines to efiect advancing movement of said elements and means controlled by said elements on such latter advancing movement to control the recording means to record the data standing on the elements prior to said latter advancing movement and means for rendering the trans fer devices inefiective during said latter advancing movement.

35. An accounting machine comprising an accumulator with multi-denominational adding elements and transfer devices therebetween, electromagnetic means individual to each of the adding elements for controlling advancin movements of the same, individual lines leading to the elements, means for energizing said lines individually and difierentially for initiating adding operations on said elements, total taking mechanism for taking totals from said elements after one or more adding entries, means for concurrently energizing said lines to efi'ect advancing movement of said elements and means controlled by said elements on such latter advancing movement to control the total taking mechanism to take totals from said elements and means for rendering the transfer devices ineffective during said latter advancing movement.

36. An accounting machine comprising an accumulator with multi-denominational adding elements and transfer devices therebetween, electromagnetic means individual to each of the adding elements for controlling advancin movements of the same, individual lines leadm to the elements, means for energizing said lines individually and differentially for initiating adding operations on said elements, total taking mechanism for taking totals from said elements after one or more adding entries, means for concurrently energizing said lines to effect advancing move-. ment of said elements to reset the same to normal home position and means controlledby said elements on reaching normal home position on reset to control operation of the total taking mechanism to take totals from said elements and means for rendering the transfer devices ineffective during reset operations.

37. An accounting machine with an accumulator with elements of various denominational orders adapted to set up' a multidenominational amount, transfer devices therebetween and means for resetting the accumulator to zero comprising electromagnetic means for entering in additive direction the complement of the digit standing on every wheel prior to resetting and includmg means for rendering the transfer devices ineffective when such resettin is eflected.

In testimony w ereof I hereto aflix my signature.

FRED M. CARROLL 

